Topic > The Effect of Childhood on a Person's Life in "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

A person's childhood can be the reason for how they end up in life. This was the case with Jeannette Walls. In Jeannette Walls' memoir Glass Castle, the Walls' children are forced to live an unconventional childhood. They deal with their alcoholic father Rex and bipolar mother Rosemary. The family always ends up moving in the middle of the night, from California to Arizona and then to West Virginia. The Walls' children decide to move to New York in an attempt to stay away from their parents and start a new life. Having parents like Rex and Rosemary, Jeannette is able to take advantage of the distinctive type of parenting presented to her while growing up. A unique way to raise your children is when Rex teaches Jeannette to swim by throwing her into the water until she figures it out. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Jeannette is always forced into circumstances she is not suited to and continually survives. Rex uses his unique way to teach his daughter to swim: "If you don't want to sink, you better learn to swim." Rex does this to potentially help his children persevere through their problems. Jeannette's entire youth can be summed up to this point where her father "teaches" her to swim. This moment is a perfect example of how Rex treated and cared for his children. Many times Rex puts his children in situations that they will not be able to handle and expects them to overcome these circumstances. Rex's perseverance teachings helped Jeannette have the ability to fight her problems, and she ultimately ends up being successful because of these teachings. Jeannette shows determination and creativity when she decides to create her own device. Jeannette comes from a crazy family, so it's natural that her determination sometimes seems crazy. No "normal" child would make their own braces, but Jeannette shows her tenacity and imagination when she does it without anyone's help: "I decided to make my own braces." Once again Rex's teachings are used to Jeannette's benefit. After being taught to be responsible for herself as a child, Jeannette is able to go out on her own and learn how to get braces. The characteristics that children acquired during childhood are the main reasons for how they ended up in the future. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The children of The Walls have benefited in their own ways from the way they were raised. They were taught to be responsible, self-sufficient and to protect each other. If it weren't for Rex and Rosemary, most of the kids wouldn't have succeeded. The children struggled with the hardships and difficult childhood they went through. Their childhood made them tougher and made them work harder for what they wanted. Ultimately, Jeannette becomes the woman she is because of her childhood.